In what now seems like a happening from an eon ago to both parties, the UCLA women’s basketball team introduced its new self to Oklahoma on Nov. 14 in a way guaranteed to make the Sooners remember.

The Bruins upset then-No. 11 Oklahoma 86-80 in the second game of the season for both teams on the Sooners’ home court.

“We know what we did wrong — rebounds,” Oklahoma point guard Morgan Hook said. “We got whipped on every offensive board. It’s not hard to rebound. You just have to want it. It’s going to be cool to go out there and give them another shot.”

The shot takes place on a neutral court, St. John Arena, at 7:15 tonight in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams said that they have changed and grown by necessity and through experience the past four months.

The sixth-seeded Sooners (22-10) were forced to regroup after subsequently losing starters Whitney Hand and Maddie Manning to injuries. They dropped out of the Top 25 but rallied to make a 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament field with coach Sherri Coale.

The third-seeded Bruins (26-7), meanwhile, went from unranked in mid-November to No. 11 in the Associated Press poll to make its first NCAA field in two seasons under new coach Cori Close.

Close felt the possibilities bubbling in the walk to the team bus after the victory at Oklahoma.

“I think it was a major turning point for us,” she said. “We had seven new players and this was a brand new year. I remember walking behind the players out to the bus and listening to their talk. I leaned over to one of my assistants and said, ‘This is a formidable day.’ ”

The players were immersed in breaking down the game.

“I could hear how they were processing the experience,” Close said. “It was ‘Wow! That was fun. We were so together. We were up 27 and they made this huge run. How did that happen?’ I don’t think you can put a price tag on experiences like that. We went on to win our first 11 road games. I think that (win) was a big part of that.”

The Sooners advanced to the second round by outlasting Central Michigan 78-73 on Saturday behind 22 points from Aaryn Ellenberg and an 18-point, 17-rebound performance by Joanna McFarland.

Both have had to expand their roles since the UCLA game.

“We’ve grown exponentially since that game,” Coale said. “The big thing, though, is the identity of our team. It’s a completely different group led by (McFarland) and her toughness and confidence. She is the player on the roster who most fits the matchup.”

The Bruins, who defeated Stetson 66-49 on Saturday, learned what works at Oklahoma.

“With every game it’s our big front line,” junior guard Thea Lemberger said. “They’ve been dominating all season, just rebounding-wise. The depth of our inside game will help us.”